ACRP IdeaHub Ideas

The objective of this research project is to provide U.S. airport operators with guidance regarding the potential roles "virtual" ATCTs and ramp control towers can play at their facilities, and their major components and supporting technologies, and the advantages and disadvantages of these virtual facilities relative to their traditional counterparts.
The project also will provide guidance regarding how airport operators,... more »

The objective of this research is to create a database of performance benchmarks for airport facilities. Airport staff need a better understanding of key operational metrics associated with building performance in order to improve efficiency, decrease operating costs, and reduce environmental impacts. A standard system which normalizes for weather, location, carbon intensity of utility supplied energy, and airport specific... more »

Conduct research to update the state-of-the-science regarding the feasibility of reducing or eliminating noise in communities from aircraft departures, specifically behind the start of takeoff roll, with active noise reduction technology.

A Fatigue Risk Management Program (FRMP), specific to the needs of ramp workers, will be developed and implemented in at least one airport with the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of the program evaluated. An implementation schedule should then be devised to provide a successful program to ramp workers in major airports across the country.

Changes to the RCAM have impacted how and when airports remove contaminants on the runway and in turn has impacted the hours needed for personnel and equipment to remove contaminants as well as the useful life of markings and pavement surfaces.

If ever there was a time to take a comprehensive look at all the line items in an airport's financial plan - now is that time. As new approaches/solutions to the post-COVID 19 travel experience are developed, many of them will come with upfront costs or long-term maintenance expenses. A deep dive into the various elements of an airport financial plan would be a useful tool for airport managers to use to determine financial... more »

Dogs and cats are entering the US at an alarming rate; serving as potential sources of novel pathogens, zoonotic pathogens, and vectors that could become established in a new region. Airport grounds need animal handling, inspection, and holding facilities to inspect animals prior to being released into our nation.

A multilateral instrument granting, among other rights, up to and including the 7th freedom traffic right for all-cargo services would provide air carriers the flexibility to develop more profitable routes that serve a larger variety of airports. This could provide significant investment opportunities for airports and enable them to better position themselves for integration into the global supply chain.

Intelligent Transportation Systems and Flight Tracking app data can be merged to provide real-time information that can reduce landside congestion at airports.

Air cargo is vital part of supply chain for many companies and cities. Air cargo carries about 35% contribution in value terms of the world's cargo, only 1% in volume, yet many airports, especially in the USA, still do not have modern technology such as Cargo Community Systems, material handling systems in warehouses, and airports designed to move cargo, including e-commerce cargo, at the same speed and efficiency as... more »

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This Synthesis study will document the current state of practice of modeling the distribution of future aviation activity among airports in a multi-airport region and identify needed future research to advance the state of practice. The state of practice of how this is done has advanced very little in the past two decades, although the advent of relatively new "big data" sources of information offers promising opportunities... more »

Current research by FAA regarding outdoor-to-indoor sound insulation measurement best practices for airport noise mitigation programs is anticipated to conclude during 2020, but will not address supplemental measurement methods or standardization of data analysis and documentation processes. The need for further investigation in these areas was highlighted by earlier ACRP-sponsored research and is necessary to attain... more »

Airport teams are ramping up innovation labs, centers and executive level positions to support critical thinking, strategy and innovation. Airports need an approach to innovation that is powerful, effective and broadly assessable, that can integrate into all aspects of the business and region, and that individuals and teams can use to generate breakthrough ideas that are implemented and have a meaningful impact in the... more »

Wildlife Trafficking links wildlife trade and public health; and the COVID-19 pandemic is a prime example of how the transmission of disease that originated in wildlife could have a devastating impact on global public health. Additionally, wildlife trafficking is a serious worldwide crime which threatens security, economic prosperity, the rule of law, and conservation efforts.